Catheter assembly

Abstract

A catheter sheath 10 includes an elongate element 12 defining a primary lumen 18 and a plurality of secondary lumens 20 arranged in spaced relationship about the primary lumen 18 . A plurality of discrete members 14 are defined by the elongate element 12 , the discrete members 14 being displaceable between a first position extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongate element 12 and a second position in which the discrete members 14 extend transversely to the longitudinal axis of the elongate element 12 . At least one electrode 22 is carried by at least one of the discrete members 14 . Electrical conductors 24 for the at least one electrode 22 are arranged in the primary lumen 18 , the primary lumen 18 being shaped to accommodate the conductors 24.

1 . A catheter sheath which includes
 an elongate element defining a primary lumen and a plurality of secondary lumens arranged in spaced relationship about the primary lumen;   a plurality of discrete members defined by the elongate element, the discrete members being displaceable between a first position extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongate element and a second position in which the discrete members extend transversely to the longitudinal axis of the elongate element;   at least one electrode carried by at least one of the discrete members; and   electrical conductors for the at least one electrode arranged in the primary lumen, the primary lumen being shaped to accommodate the conductors.   
   
   
       2 . The catheter sheath of  claim 1  in which an inner surface of a wall of the elongate element defining the primary lumen is recessed to define at least one axially extending channel in which the conductors are receivable. 
   
   
       3 . The catheter sheath of  claim 2  in which each discrete member carries at least one electrode and in which a plurality of circumferentially spaced channels is defined in the inner surface of the wall of the elongate element, each discrete member having a channel associated with it. 
   
   
       4 . The catheter sheath of  claim 3  in which the at least one electrode of each discrete member is arranged on an operatively inner surface of its associated discrete member. 
   
   
       5 . The catheter sheath of  claim 1  in which the discrete members are defined by the elongate element. 
   
   
       6 . The catheter sheath of  claim 5  in which the discrete members are defined by longitudinally extending slits at least at the distal end of the elongate element. 
   
   
       7 . The catheter sheath of  claim 1  in which a control element is received in each secondary lumen, each control element being connected to one of the discrete members and the control element controlling movement of its associated discrete member at least from its first position to its second position. 
   
   
       8 . The catheter sheath of  claim 1  which includes an urging means associated with each discrete member for urging the discrete member from its second position to its first position. 
   
   
       9 . The catheter sheath of  claim 8  in which each urging means is a resiliently flexible component having at least a portion inwardly of a centre plane of its associated discrete member. 
   
   
       10 . A catheter assembly which includes
 a handle having a proximal end and a distal end;   a catheter sheath as claimed in  claim 7  attached to a distal end of the handle; and   a control mechanism carried by the handle, the control elements of the catheter sheath being connected to the control mechanism.   
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 10  which includes a stylet received in the primary lumen of the elongate element of the catheter sheath. 
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 11  in which the stylet is a steerable stylet for effecting steering of the catheter sheath, in use. 
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 12  in which the handle includes a steering control mechanism to which the stylet is connected for effecting steering of the stylet. 
   
   
       14 . The assembly of  claim 11  in which a distal end of the stylet carries an end electrode. 
   
   
       15 . The assembly of  claim 14  in which the end electrode is a dome electrode. 
   
   
       16 . The assembly of  claim 14  in which the end electrode is arranged to lie substantially in the same plane as the at least one electrode of the at least one discrete member when that discrete member is in its second position. 
   
   
       17 . The assembly of  claim 14  in which the stylet and the catheter sheath are axially displaceable with respect to each other so that, when the discrete members of the elongate element of the catheter sheath are in their second position, the end electrode can be brought into substantially the same plane as the at least one electrode of the at least one discrete element. 
   
   
       18 . The assembly of  claim 14  in which the end electrode is a needle electrode. 
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 10  in which the control mechanism includes a plurality of control members, each control member being connected to one of the control elements of the catheter sheath so that movement of each discrete member can be effected independently of the remaining discrete members. 
   
   
       20 . The assembly of  claim 19  in which the control mechanism includes a connector for interconnecting the control members to effect simultaneous control of the discrete members of the catheter sheath.